16-year-old charged with firing gunshots in group confrontation on Pleasant Street, Worcester

Friday

Apr 18, 2014 at 6:00 AMApr 18, 2014 at 9:07 PM

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday at a Becker College computer lab and charged with firing gunshots during a dispute earlier in the day on Pleasant Street.

Police said that around 12:25 p.m. they went to 86 Pleasant St. to investigate reports of multiple gunshots. Police saw several males running on Pleasant Street by Newbury Street, and saw another group running on Pleasant Street toward Main Street.

Police said they interviewed witnesses and collected evidence, and reviewed footage from nearby video cameras. According to police, the two groups were facing off for a fight and exchanging words when one of the males pulled out a gun and fired several rounds at the other group. The shots missed their target, and no injuries were reported, police said.

Investigators developed enough evidence to get an arrest warrant for the shooter, who police identified as a 16-year-old boy who lives in Worcester.

He was arrested around 5:15 p.m. in the Becker College computer lab at 44 West St. He was charged with two counts of armed assault to murder, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of dwelling.

Police said the boy will be arraigned at a later date in juvenile court.